According to the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), which helped launch the shop in 2023, sales reached P714,153.60 during the period driven by surge in demand in the third quarter. The #PushaBW Store, located at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (SSKIA), showcases products that are 100% made in Botswana by local entrepreneurs and producers. BITC CEO, Keletsositse Olebile, revealed last week that during the financial year, the store registered 74 new products, exceeding its annual target and indicating growing participation by local producers.
"The store's third quarter emerged as the strongest trading period of the year, driven largely by increased festive-season demand and sales of replica kits for the national football team, the Zebras,” he told a BITC media briefing. “However, performance was weaker in the second quarter, which was attributed to high staff turnover at the store," he added. PushaBW Store operates as a joint initiative supported by BITC, the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency, the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana and the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship. Unlike conventional retail outlets, it provides local entrepreneurs with shelf space, giving small businesses an opportunity to access customers and promote their products to both domestic and international travellers. Since officially opening its doors about two years ago, its product range has included locally produced crafts, fashion items, food products and other locally branded goods. However, Olebile bemoaned that despite increasing interest from companies seeking to list their products, physical shelf space remains the store's main constraint.
